Calling it a "leap of faith," Alabama junior quarterback Tua Tagovailoa announced Monday that he will forgo his senior year and enter the 2020 NFL draft.
The record-setting quarterback of the Crimson Tide revealed his decision in a news conference that included coach Nick Saban. Tagovailoa finished runner-up in the 2018 Heisman Trophy balloting but had his 2019 season derailed by a dislocated hip in the 38-7 win at Mississippi State on Nov. 16.
"It's a unique situation for sure with my hip," Tagovailoa said. "A lot of the general managers and owners that I've gotten to talk with are looking at this injury almost like a knee injury, even though it's not, in a way like, 'Are we going to take a chance on this guy?' The biggest thing they want to see is if I can move and get back to how I was playing prior to the injury."
ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper said Monday that Tagovailoa could be selected by the Miami Dolphins with the fifth pick or the 18th pick or by another team in between. Kiper added that Tagovailoa's durability issues the past two seasons, which include a knee injury in 2018 and an ankle injury in 2019, are a "real concern."
When he wasn't injured, the 6-foot-1, 218-pounder from Hawaii performed brilliantly for the Crimson Tide, completing 474 of 684 passes (69.3%) for 7,442 yards with 87 touchdowns and just 11 interceptions. His 87 touchdown tosses and 96 total touchdowns are Alabama records.
"Tua has probably had as much of an impact on our program here as any player we've ever had," Saban said. "He's continued the streak of 11-win seasons to nine. He's won a national championship with his performance, and he's won an SEC championship. I don't think he's ever been in my office one time the whole time he's been here for anything but something that's positive in terms of helping him or helping the rest of our program."
Tagovailoa was the backup to Jalen Hurts during the 2017 season but replaced him at halftime of the national championship game, when the Tide trailed Georgia 13-0. Tagovailoa responded by completing 14 of 24 passes for 166 yards with three touchdowns and one interception, with his 41-yard scoring strike to fellow freshman DeVonta Smith propelling Alabama to a 26-23 overtime triumph.
As the sophomore starter in 2018, Tagovailoa completed 245 of 355 passes (69.0%) for 3,966 yards with 43 touchdowns and six interceptions, guiding Alabama to 12 regular-season wins by at least three touchdowns. His undefeated run was halted by a stunning 44-16 loss to Clemson in last season's title game.
Tagovailoa completed 180 of 252 attempts (71.4%) as a junior, amassing 2,840 yards and throwing for 33 touchdowns against just three interceptions.
"I've got to see the spectrums of having a lot of success like winning a national championship but also losing a national championship and going through a lot of adversity, coming back from it and continuing to go through it," Tagovailoa said. "It's been a mixture of emotions, but coming to a place like this has helped set me up to be in the best position to become successful later in life."
Tagovailoa said he met with Saban five times within the last week before making his decision. Asked Monday what emotions he was experiencing, he replied that he was content with his choice and looking to the months ahead and whether he will be able to hold a pro day.
"It really depends on how the doctor's report goes with my MRI and X-rays at the three-month mark," he said.
Redshirt sophomore Mac Jones replaced Tagovailoa and performed well for the Tide, who capped an 11-2 season with a 35-16 downing of Michigan last Wednesday in the Citrus Bowl. Jones will be the favorite to guide the Tide in 2020, though he will be joined by Taulia Tagovailoa, Tua's young brother, Paul Tyson and Bryce Young in a competition that will start this spring.
Young is the No. 1 dual-threat quarterback in the 2020 signing class.
Those quarterbacks will have two elite receivers to work with, as Smith announced Monday that he will return for his senior season and provide a stout 1-2 punch with current sophomore Jaylen Waddle.
"There's a lot I have left to accomplish as a player and as a student," Smith posted Monday on Instagram, "and I feel that my time is not up at Alabama."
Two other junior receivers, Jerry Jeudy and Henry Ruggs III, are leaving early for the NFL. Ruggs made his announcement official Monday.
Alabama's most notable player yet to announce is junior running back Najee Harris.
SEC decisions
Georgia redshirt sophomore cornerback Eric Stokes, an All-SEC second-team selection, announced Monday night that he would be returning to Athens.
"Coming back harder than ever before," Stokes posted on Twitter.
Junior linebacker K.J. Britt and junior defensive end Big Kat Bryant announced Monday that they would be returning to Auburn, while Florida will return redshirt sophomore cornerback Marco Wilson.
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.